There is more than a "Water" issue
in Flint Michigan
Sure we can donate water, but who is donating the pediatric services and the other long term health and educational needs lead-poisoned children in Flint, Michigan require? Let's be frank, Flint is in the media due to gross governmental negligence, but it is not the only poor U.S. community at stake. However, while we can multitask, we cannot fully give our critical attention to children in the shadows of media. So, let's focus on Flint and see if we can get traction out of the situation.
Shame on us for our hyper-focus on water delivery and a "who's on first" approach to the cause of the Flint water issue. Why? Because it keeps the real conversation of the long term educational and health effects on the children of Flint out of focus. We are cool with diverting our attention from a burgeoning Freddie Gray Syndrome that can't seem to find its way to Governor Synder's "things to be accountable for" list.
Did you here about the president who, a few years ago, turned his summer home into a refuge at least 100 displaced Syrian children?
Now, I'm not saying Governor Synder is presidential in any why. I'm not even trying to make a direct comparison between him and Uruguay's President Jose Mujica.
I'm just asserting that Governor Synder's policies and practices put him a lot closer to the long term struggles of Flint's Children than President Mujica's may have put him to Syrian children.
The Freddie Gray Syndrome: Some Reading...
- April 23, 2015 - Baltimore Sun: Beginning of Freddie Gray's life as sad as its end, court case shows CLICK HERE
- April 26, 2015 - Washington's Post: Freddie Gray’s life a study on the effects of lead paint on poor blacks CLICK HERE
- April 27 - Think Progress: Before The Police, Freddie Gray Was Attacked By His Own Walls CLICK HERE
- April 28, 2015 - Daily Mail: How Freddie 'Pepper' Gray, 25, lived off lead paint settlement after being poisoned as a child CLICK HERE
- May 5, 2015 - The Daily Beast: Why Freddie Gray Never Had a Chance: Lead Poisoning Is Killing Inner-City Baltimore CLICK HERE
- May 19, 2015 - Fox News: Could lead paint have played a role in Freddie Gray's death? CLICK HERE
- August 25, 2015 - Washington Post: How companies make millions off lead-poisoned, poor blacks CLICK HERE
According to the Mayo Clinic...
Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause damage over time, especially in children. The greatest risk is to brain development, where irreversible damage may occur.
The signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children may include:
Babies who are exposed to lead before birth may experience:
The signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children may include:
- Small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems
- Developmental delay
- Learning difficulties
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Sluggishness and fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Hearing loss
Babies who are exposed to lead before birth may experience:
- Learning difficulties
- Slowed growth
